“It’s not just the hit itself”: the social practice of injecting drug use among gay and bisexual men in Australia

Schroeder, Sophia; Bourne, Adam; Doyle, Joseph; Stoové, Mark; Hellard, Margaret; Pedrana, Alisa

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103642

Cited by 8 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Taken together, these ndings suggest that while injecting environments (sexual vs. non-sexual) and social contexts/meanings (e.g., motivations around social connectedness/belonging) may provide a qualitatively distinct experience for sexual minority men in general (39), the actual practice of injecting involves the same material realities (27). Nonetheless, different approaches to addressing drug-related matters of concern may be required, given the higher proportion of methamphetamine use among GBMSM and its implications for varying risks of harms (40)(41)(42)(43).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…The intersection of injection and sexual minority practices is associated with distinct risks and potential harms (25)(26)(27)(28). Studies comparing the characteristics of GBMSM who inject drugs and other people who inject drugs have found GBMSM have a higher risk of intentional overdose (29), a lower likelihood of accessing addiction treatment (18) and heightened 'sexual risk' (typically implying condomless anal intercourse and greater number of sexual partners) (30).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence suggests that GBMSM who inject drugs are more likely to occupy distinct socio-cultural spaces than other people who inject drugs (17), with qualitative analyses highlighting GBMSM-speci c socio-cultural meanings of injecting drug use (33,34). These includes gaining access to particular socio-sexual networks and establishing relationships with other men (26,27), where peer-to-peer injecting (i.e., injecting each other) can foster greater intimacy and social capital (25,35).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We sought to investigate this possibility by assessing similarities and differences between GBMSM and other men in a cohort of people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. Speci cally, we aimed to examine if the ndings from the literature highlighted above as being important for understanding GBMSM's drug use (i.e., methamphetamine use, engagement in social networks featuring injection drug use (27), peer-to peer injecting (34)) translate into quanti able differences, including in access to injecting-speci c health care.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does sexuality matter? A cross-sectional study of drug use, social injecting, and access to injection-specific care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia

Schroeder

Wilkinson

O’Keefe

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are overrepresented in cohorts of people who inject drugs. GBMSM’s substance use is usually explored in the context of its contribution to sexual risk. We examined drug use practices, connectedness to other people who inject drugs, peer-to-peer injecting, and access to care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. We aim to describe similarities and differences in these parameters for GBMSM and other men. Methods: Data were drawn from a prospective cohort study of people who inject drugs conducted in Melbourne, Australia since 2009. This cross-sectional study used data collected between 2016 and 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to assess differences between GBMSM and other men. Results: Of 525 men who injected drugs over the study period, 48 (9%) identified as gay or bisexual, or reported sex with other men in the past 12 months. GBMSM and other men reported similar socio-demographics, drug practices (age of injecting initiation, most injected drug, peer-to-peer injecting, receptive syringe sharing) and access to injecting-specific care (drug treatment, source of needle-syringes). A significantly greater percentage of GBMSM reported preferring methamphetamine (31% vs 16%, p=0.022). Higher proportions of GBMSM reported knowing >50 other people who inject drugs (46% vs 37%) and accessing drug treatment over the reporting period (81% vs 71%), but these differences were not statistically significant. Both groups primarily obtained injecting equipment from needle-syringe programs; a minority had accessed injecting-specific primary care. Conclusion: Men who injected drugs in this cohort and those who identified as GBMSM reported similar drug and health-seeking practices. The higher prevalence of methamphetamine injecting among GBMSM may warrant different harm reduction support for this group. Health promotion should utilise opportunities to connect men who inject drugs in Melbourne to injecting-specific primary healthcare.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does sexuality matter? A cross-sectional study of drug use, social injecting, and access to injection-specific care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia

Schroeder

Wilkinson

O’Keefe

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Evidence suggests that GBMSM who inject drugs are more likely to occupy distinct sociocultural spaces than other people who inject drugs [ 17 ], with qualitative analyses highlighting GBMSM-specific sociocultural meanings of injecting drug use [ 33 , 34 ]. These include gaining access to particular socio-sexual networks and establishing relationships with other men [ 26 , 27 ], where peer-to-peer injecting (i.e. injecting each other) can foster greater intimacy and social capital [ 25 , 35 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does sexuality matter? A cross-sectional study of drug use, social injecting, and access to injection-specific care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are overrepresented in cohorts of people who inject drugs. GBMSM’s substance use is usually explored in the context of its contribution to sexual risk. We examined drug use practices, connectedness to other people who inject drugs, peer-to-peer injecting, and access to care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. We aim to describe similarities and differences in these parameters for GBMSM and other men. Methods Data were drawn from a prospective cohort study of people who inject drugs conducted in Melbourne, Australia, since 2009. This cross-sectional study used data collected between 2016 and 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to assess differences between GBMSM and other men. Results Of 525 men who injected drugs over the study period, 48 (9%) identified as gay or bisexual, or reported sex with other men in the past 12 months. GBMSM and other men reported similar socio-demographics, drug practices (age of injecting initiation, most injected drug, peer-to-peer injecting, receptive syringe sharing) and access to injecting-specific care (drug treatment, source of needle-syringes). A significantly greater percentage of GBMSM reported past 12-month hepatitis C testing (69% vs. 52%, p = 0.028) and preferring methamphetamine (31% vs. 16%, p = 0.022). A higher percentage of GBMSM reported knowing > 50 other people who inject drugs (46% vs. 37%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Both groups primarily obtained injecting equipment from needle-syringe programs; a minority had accessed injecting-specific primary care. Conclusion Men who injected drugs in this cohort and those who identified as GBMSM reported similar drug and health-seeking practices. The higher prevalence of methamphetamine injecting among GBMSM may warrant different harm reduction support for this group. Health promotion should utilise opportunities to connect men who inject drugs in Melbourne to injecting-specific primary health care.

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Exploring practices to enhance benefits and reduce risks of chemsex among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: A meta-ethnography

Hawkinson,

Witzel,

Gafos

2024

International Journal of Drug Policy

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“It’s not just the hit itself”: the social practice of injecting drug use among gay and bisexual men in Australia

Cited by 8 publications

References 69 publications

Does sexuality matter? A cross-sectional study of drug use, social injecting, and access to injection-specific care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia

Does sexuality matter? A cross-sectional study of drug use, social injecting, and access to injection-specific care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia

Does sexuality matter? A cross-sectional study of drug use, social injecting, and access to injection-specific care among men who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia

Exploring practices to enhance benefits and reduce risks of chemsex among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: A meta-ethnography

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